Admitting that the roots of organised crime in Uttar Pradesh had reached a dangerous height, Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday said a proposed act against organised crime will go a long way towards improving law and order of the state.

The act to be named as Uttar Pradesh Organised Crime Control Act (UPOCCA) is aimed at controlling the activities of land mafia, professional criminals, kidnappers and drug racketeers, she told a press conference in Lucknow.

The Bill to this effect was tabled in the state assembly on Wednesday.

The chief minister said her government was committed towards better law and order and the proposed legislation will help in controlling crime to a great extent.

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken cue from similar laws that have been effective in other states like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The act will have provisions for the state government to set up State Organised Crime Control Authority headed by the State Principal Secretary (Home) with Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), ADG (Crime) and a Special Secretary of law department as members.

Special courts and appellate courts will be established as per the proposed provisions, Mayawati said, adding that for protection against misuse of the law, the Divisional Commissioner and DIG (Range) will be authorised to order a First Information Report under the act.

Provisions of capital punishment, life term and fine up to Rs 10 lakh have been incorporated in the new Bill. People harbouring criminals and giving them protection will also be punished under the new law.